COVID-19 secure guidance for employers, employees and the self-employed - 23 June 2020

1. COVID-19 secure guidance for employers, employees and the self-
employed
23 June 2020
Keeping workers and
clients safe during COVID-
19 in close contact services

2. Published 23 June 2020
Last updated 23 June 2020
23 June 2020 (Version 1.0)
First published.
Document
updates
2

3. The UK is currently experiencing a public health emergency
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical that
employers, employees, the self-employed and clients take
steps to keep everyone safe. This document is to help you
understand how to work safely and keep your clients safe
during this pandemic, ensuring as many people as possible
comply with social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with
risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable). We
hope it gives you freedom within a practical framework to
think about what you need to do to continue, or restart,
operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand
how important it is that you can work safely and support
your employees’ and clients’ health and wellbeing during
the COVID-19 pandemic and not contribute to the spread
of the virus. We know that many of these businesses are
currently closed, by government regulation, for their usual
service - this guidance will be useful for those businesses
as they develop new ways of working or to help prepare for
the time when they are able to reopen. The government is
clear that workers should not be forced into an unsafe
workplace and the health and safety of workers and clients,
and public health, should not be put at risk.
We know many people are also keen to return to or
contribute to volunteering. Organisations have a duty of
care to volunteers to ensure as far as reasonably
practicable they are not exposed to risks to their health and
safety. This guidance around working safely during COVID-
19 should ensure that volunteers are afforded the same
level of protection to their health and safety as others, such
as workers and clients.
This document has been prepared by the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with input
from firms, unions, industry bodies and the devolved
administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,
and in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and
the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Public health is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and
Wales; this guidance should be considered alongside local
public health and safety requirements and legislation in
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For advice to
businesses in other parts of the UK please see guidance
set by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish
Government, and the Welsh Government.
We expect that this document will be updated over time.
This version is up to date as of 23 June 2020. You can
check for updates at https://www.gov.uk/workingsafely. If
you have any feedback for us, please email
safer.workplaces@beis.gov.uk.
This document is one of a set of documents about how to
work safely in different types of workplace. This one is
designed to be relevant for people who provide close
contact services.
People delivering services in other people's homes or retail
environments should also refer to guidance on working
safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes and in
shops and branches.
Introduction
3
Close contact services include
hairdressing, barbershops, beauty
and nail bars, makeup, tattoo and
spray tanning studios, spas,
sports and massage therapy,
well-being and holistic locations,
dress fitters, tailors and fashion
designers.
This guidance is also designed for
those who provide mobile close
contact services from their homes
and in other people’s homes,
those in retail environments and
the arts, as well as those studying
hair and beauty in vocational
training environments.
Dress fitters, tailors and fashion
designers were permitted to
reopen in line with non-essential
retail on 15 June 2020.
Hairdressers and barbershops will
be permitted to reopen for
services that relate to cutting or
treating hair on the head only
from 4 July 2020. The other
services outlined above will
remain closed until further notice
subject to the five tests but this
guidance will help them prepare
for reopening.
What do we mean
by ‘close contact
services’?

4. This document sets out guidance on how to open
workplaces safely while minimising the risk of spreading
COVID-19. It gives practical considerations of how this can
be applied in the workplace.
Each business will need to translate this into the specific
actions it needs to take, depending on the nature of their
business, including the size and type of business, how it is
organised, operated, managed and regulated. They will also
need to monitor these measures to make sure they are
continuing to protect clients and workers.
This guidance does not supersede any legal obligations
relating to health and safety, employment or equalities and
it is important that as a business or an employer you
continue to comply with your existing obligations, including
those relating to individuals with protected characteristics.
It contains non-statutory guidance to take into account
when complying with these existing obligations. When
considering how to apply this guidance, take into account
agency workers, contractors and other people, as well as
your employees.
Where a premises delivers a mix of services, only those
services that are permitted to be open should be available.
For example, a hairdresser should ensure that beauty or
nail treatments are not offered.
To help you decide which actions to take, you must
carry out an appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment,
just as you would for other health and safety related
hazards. This risk assessment must be done in
consultation with unions or workers.
How to use
this
guidance
4

5. Table of Contents
Introduction
What do we mean by ‘close contact services’?
How to use this guidance
1. Thinking about risk
2. Keeping clients and visitors safe
3. Who should go to work
4. Social distancing for workers
5. Cleaning the workplace
6. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and face coverings
7. Workforce management
8. Inbound and outbound goods
Where to obtain further guidance
Appendix
3
3
4
6
11
17
20
26
30
35
39
40
40
5

6. Use the HSE form available at
https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm.
Contact HSE by phone on 0300 790 6787.
Contact your trade union if you have one.
Contact your employee representative.
How to raise a
concern:
1. Thinking about risk
Objective: That all employers carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment.
COVID-19 is a public health emergency. Everyone needs to assess and manage the risks of
COVID-19, and in particular businesses should consider the risks to their workers and clients. As
an employer, you also have a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risk to their
health and safety. This means you need to think about the risks they face and do everything
reasonably practicable to minimise them, recognising you cannot completely eliminate the risk of
COVID-19.
You must make sure that the risk assessment for your business addresses the risks of COVID-19,
using this guidance to inform your decisions and control measures. You should also consider the
security implications of any decisions and control measures you intend to put in place, as any
revisions could present new or altered security risks that may require mitigation. A risk
assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying
sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace. If you have fewer than five workers, or
are self-employed, you don’t have to write anything down as part of your risk assessment. Your
risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you need to. There are
interactive tools available to support you from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at
https://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/assessment.htm.
Employers have a duty to consult their people on health and safety. You can do this by listening
and talking to them about the work and how you will manage risks from COVID-19. The people
who do the work are often the best people to understand the risks in the workplace and will have
a view on how to work safely. Involving them in making decisions shows that you take their health
and safety seriously. You must consult with the health and safety representative selected by a
recognised trade union or, if there isn’t one, a representative chosen by workers. As an employer,
you cannot decide who the representative will be.
At its most effective, full involvement of your workers creates a culture where relationships
between employers and workers are based on collaboration, trust and joint problem solving. As
is normal practice, workers should be involved in assessing workplace risks and the development
and review of workplace health and safety policies in partnership with the employer.
Employers and workers should always come together to resolve issues. If concerns still cannot
be resolved, see below for further steps you can take.
6

7. 1. Thinking about risk
(continued)
Where the enforcing authority, such as the HSE or your local authority, identifies employers who
are not taking action to comply with the relevant public health legislation and guidance to control
public health risks, they are empowered to take a range of actions to improve control of
workplace risks. For example, this would cover employers not taking appropriate action to
ensure social distancing, where possible.
Failure to complete a risk assessment which takes account of COVID-19, or completing a risk
assessment but failing to put in place sufficient measures to manage the risk of COVID-19, could
constitute a breach of health and safety law. The actions the enforcing authority can take include
the provision of specific advice to employers to support them to achieve the required standard,
through to issuing enforcement notices to help secure improvements. Serious breaches and
failure to comply with enforcement notices can constitute a criminal offence, with serious fines
and even imprisonment for up to two years. There is also a wider system of enforcement, which
includes specific obligations and conditions for licensed premises.
Employers are expected to respond to any advice or notices issued by enforcing authorities
rapidly and are required to do so within any timescales imposed by the enforcing authorities. The
vast majority of employers are responsible and will join with the UK's fight against COVID-19 by
working with the Government and their sector bodies to protect their workers and the public.
However, regulators are carrying out compliance checks nationwide to ensure that employers are
taking the necessary steps.
7

8. 1.1 Managing risk
Objective: To reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by
taking preventative measures, in order of priority.
Employers have a duty to reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking
preventative measures. Employers must work with any other employers or contractors sharing the
workplace so that everybody's health and safety is protected. In the context of COVID-19 this means
protecting the health and safety of your workers and clients by working through these steps in order:
§ Ensuring both workers and clients who feel unwell stay at home and do not attend the premise.
§ In every workplace, increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning.
§ Businesses and workplaces should make every reasonable effort to enable working from home as a
first option. Where working from home is not possible, workplaces should make every reasonable effort
to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government (2m, or 1m with risk
mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable. You should consider and set out the mitigations you
will introduce in your risk assessments).
§ Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, in relation to a particular activity,
businesses should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and if
so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their staff.
§ Clearly, when providing close contact services, it often may not be possible to maintain social
distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m apart with risk mitigation, is acceptable). As a result, personal
protective equipment in the form of a visor will be required to mitigate the risk, further detail on which
can be found in Section 6. Further mitigating actions include:
§ Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning.
§ Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.
§ Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another. If the practitioner is wearing a visor,
screens will not provide additional protection between the practitioner and the individual. Everyone
working in close proximity for an extended period of time must wear a visor.
§ Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible.
§ Using a consistent pairing system, defined as fixing which workers work together, if workers have to
be in close proximity (defined as being within arm’s-length of someone else for a sustained period of
time).
§ Finally, if people must work face-to-face for a sustained period with more than a small group of fixed
partners, then you will need to assess whether the activity can safely go ahead. Services which require
workers to be within the ‘highest risk zone’ of clients (defined as the area in front of the face where
splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth, that may not be visible, can be present and pose a
hazard from the client to the practitioner and vice versa), for the entire duration or the majority of the
time the service is being provided, should not be resumed unless they can be adapted in line with this
guidance to make them safe (for example, by moving out of the highest risk zone and wearing a visor).
The closer someone is to the source of the virus, the greater the risk of transmission. Particular
attention should also be paid to avoiding contact with surfaces near to the client and thoroughly
cleaning those surfaces after each client. No one is obliged to work in an unsafe work environment.
8

9. 1.1 Managing risk (continued)
§ In your assessment you should have particular regard to whether the people doing the work are
especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
The recommendations in the rest of this document are ones you must consider as you go through this
process. You could also consider any advice that has been produced specifically for your sector, for
example by trades associations.
If you have not already done so, you should carry out an assessment of the risks posed by COVID-19 in
your workplace as soon as possible. If you are currently operating, you are likely to have gone through a
lot of this thinking already. We recommend that you use this document to identify any further
improvements you should make. You must review the measures you have put in place to make sure they
are working. You should also review them if they may no longer be effective or if there are changes in the
workplace that could lead to new risks.
9

10. 1.2 Sharing the results of your risk
assessment
10
You must share the results of your risk assessment with your workforce. If possible, you should consider
publishing the results on your website (and we would expect all employers with over 50 workers to do so).
We would expect all businesses to demonstrate to their workers and clients that they have properly
assessed their risk and taken appropriate measures to mitigate this. You should do this by displaying a
notification in a prominent place in your business and on your website, if you have one. Below you will find
a notice you should sign and display, which can also be provided as cards, stickers or similar, to show
you have followed this guidance.

11. 2. Keeping your clients and visitors safe

12. 2.1 Keeping clients and visitors safe
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
Objective: To minimise the risk of transmission and protect the health of
clients and visitors in close contact services.
Encouraging clients to use hand sanitiser or
handwashing facilities as they enter the premises or
before treatment.
Calculating the maximum number of clients that can
reasonably follow social distancing guidelines (2m,
or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is
acceptable) and limiting the number of
appointments at any one time. Take into account
total floorspace as well as likely pinch points and
busy areas.
Determining if schedules for essential services and
contractor visits can be revised to reduce
interaction and overlap between people.
When booking an appointment, asking the client if
they can attend on their own, where possible.
Reminding clients who are accompanied by
children that they are responsible for supervising
them at all times and should follow social distancing
guidelines.
Informing clients and contractors of guidance about
visiting the premises prior to and at the point of
arrival, including information on websites, on
booking forms and in entrance ways.
Adjusting how people move through the premises
to reduce congestion and contact between clients,
for example, queue management or one-way flow.
This may only be possible in larger establishments.
§ The opening up of the economy following the COVID-19 outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and
Trace. You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of your clients and visitors for 21
days, in a way that is manageable for your business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that
data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks. Many businesses that take bookings
already have systems for recording their clients and visitors – including restaurants, hotels, and hair
salons. If you do not already do this, you should do so to help fight the virus. We will work with industry
and relevant bodies to design this system in line with data protection legislation, and set out details
shortly.
§ All premises should ensure that steps are taken to avoid people needing to unduly raise their voices to
each other. This includes, but is not limited to, refraining from playing music or broadcasts that may
encourage shouting, including if played at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult. This is
because of the potential for increased risk of transmission, particularly from aerosol transmission. We will
develop further guidance, based on scientific evidence, to enable these activities as soon as possible.
12

13. 2.1 Keeping clients and visitors safe
(continued)
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
13
Ensuring any changes to entrances, exits and queue
management take into account reasonable
adjustments for those who need them, including
disabled clients. For example, maintaining pedestrian
and parking access for disabled clients.
Using outside spaces for queuing where available and
safe, for example some car parks. Queues outside
should be managed to ensure they do not cause risk
to individuals or other businesses, for example by
introducing queuing systems, using barriers and
having staff direct clients.
Minimising contact between different workers whilst
serving a client, such as photographers, models
makeup artists and stylists in a photoshoot.
Operating an appointment-only system.
Reviewing working practices to minimise the duration
of contact with the client. Where extended treatments
are undertaken, such as braiding, consider how the
length of the appointment could be minimised.
Encouraging clients to arrive at the time of their
scheduled appointment.
Maintaining social distancing in waiting areas when
clients wait for their appointments. When waiting
areas can no longer maintain social distancing,
consider moving to a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy.
Limiting the use of changing facilities available to
clients and only opening them when essential to
providing a service, such as tanning studios.
Making clients aware of, and encouraging compliance
with, limits on gatherings. For example, on arrival or at
booking. Indoor gatherings are limited to members of
any two households (or support bubbles), while
outdoor gatherings are limited to members of any two
households (or support bubbles), or a group of at
most six people from any number of households.

14. 2.1 Keeping clients and visitors safe
(continued)
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
14
COVID-19 related screening questions to be asked of
clients ahead of their appointment, including:
§ Have you had the recent onset of a new
continuous cough?
§ Do you have a high temperature?
§ Have you noticed a loss of, or change in, normal
sense of taste or smell?
If the client has any of these symptoms, however mild,
they should stay at home and reschedule their
appointment.
Working with neighbouring businesses and local
authorities to provide additional parking or facilities
such as bike-racks, where possible, to help clients
avoid using public transport.
Working with neighbouring businesses and local
authorities to consider how to spread the number of
people arriving throughout the day, for example by
staggering opening hours; this will help reduce
demand on public transport at key times and avoid
overcrowding.

15. 2.2 Client
toilets
Objective: To ensure that toilets are kept open and to
ensure/promote good hygiene, social distancing, and cleanliness
in toilet facilities.
• Public toilets, portable toilets and toilets inside premises
should be kept open and carefully managed to reduce the risk
of transmission of COVID-19.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Using signs and posters to build awareness of good
handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing
frequency and to avoid touching your face, and to cough or
sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into your arm if
a tissue is not available.
Consider the use of social distancing marking in areas where
queues normally form, and the adoption of a limited entry
approach, with one in, one out (whilst avoiding the creation
of additional bottlenecks).
To enable good hand hygiene consider making hand
sanitiser available on entry to toilets where safe and practical,
and ensure suitable handwashing facilities including running
water and liquid soap and suitable options for drying (either
paper towels or hand driers) are available.
Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets, with
increased frequency of cleaning in line with usage. Use
normal cleaning products, paying attention to frequently
hand touched surfaces, and consider use of disposable
cloths or paper roll to clean all hard surfaces.
Keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors
open where appropriate.
Special care should be taken for cleaning of portable toilets
and larger toilet blocks.
Putting up a visible cleaning schedule can keep it up to date
and visible.
Providing more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish
collection.
15

16. Steps that will usually be needed:
2.3 Providing and explaining available guidance
Objective: To make sure people understand what they need to do to maintain safety.
16
Providing clear guidance on expected client behaviours, social distancing and hygiene to people
before arrival, when scheduling their appointment, and on arrival, for example, with signage and visual
aids. Explaining to clients that failure to observe safety measures will result in services not being
provided.
Providing written or spoken communication of the latest guidelines to both workers and clients inside
and outside the premises. You should display posters or information setting out how clients should
behave on your premises to keep everyone safe. Consider the particular needs of those with
protected characteristics, such as those who are hearing or visually impaired.
Providing a safety briefing of on-site protocols, rules for shared areas and key facilities, for example,
handwashing, in particular for freelance workers who may work at multiple locations.
Ensuring latest guidelines are visible throughout the entire premises.
Informing clients that they should be prepared to remove face coverings if asked to do so by police
officers and staff for the purpose of identification.
Ensuring information provided to clients and visitors, such as advice on the location or size of queues,
does not compromise their safety.
Where necessary, informing clients that police and the local authorities have the powers to enforce
requirements in relation to social distancing and may instruct clients to disperse, leave an area, issue
a fixed penalty notice or take further enforcement action.

17. Objective:
That everyone should
work from home,
unless they cannot
work from home.
It is recognised that
for most workers
providing these
services, it is often not
possible to work from
home.
Nobody should go to
work if your business
is closed under
current government
regulations.
17
Considering who is essential to be on site; for example, in
certain businesses, those not in client-facing roles such as
administrative staff should work from home if at all possible.
Recognising that some people in this environment may
choose to see clients in their homes or a workplace, taking
the necessary steps to properly manage risks in both
environments.
Monitoring the wellbeing of people who are working from
home and helping them stay connected to the rest of the
workforce, especially if the majority of their colleagues are
on-site.
Keeping in touch with off-site workers on their working
arrangements including their welfare, mental and physical
health and personal security.
Providing equipment for people to work from home safely
and effectively. For administrative roles, this may include
access to work systems.
People who can work from home should continue to do so.
Employers should decide, in consultation with their workers,
whether it is viable for them to continue working from home. Where
it is decided that workers should come into their place of work then
this will need to be reflected in the risk assessment and actions
taken to manage the risks of transmission in line with this guidance.
Steps that will usually be needed:
3. Who should go to work

18. 3.1 Protecting
people who
are at higher
risk
3.2 People
who need to
self-isolate
18
Objective: To protect clinically extremely vulnerable and clinically
vulnerable individuals.
§ Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (see definition in
Appendix) have been strongly advised not to work outside the home
during the pandemic peak and only return to work when community
infection rates are low.
§ Clinically vulnerable individuals, who are at higher risk of severe
illness (for example, people with some pre-existing conditions, see
definition in Appendix), have been asked to take extra care in
observing social distancing and should be helped to work from
home, either in their current role or in an alternative role.
§ If clinically vulnerable individuals cannot work from home, they
should be offered the option of the safest available on-site roles,
enabling them to maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m
with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable). If they
cannot maintain social distancing, you should carefully assess
whether this involves an acceptable level of risk. As for any
workplace risk you must take into account specific duties to those
with protected characteristics, including, for example, expectant
mothers who are, as always, entitled to suspension on full pay if
suitable roles cannot be found. Particular attention should also be
paid to people who live with clinically extremely vulnerable
individuals.
Objective: To make sure individuals who are advised to stay at home
under existing government guidance to stop infection spreading do not
physically come to work. This includes individuals who have symptoms
of COVID-19, those who live in a household or are in a support bubble
with someone who has symptoms and those who are advised to self-
isolate as part of the government's test and trace service.
18
Steps that will usually be needed:
See current guidance for people who have symptoms and
those who live with others who have symptoms.
Enabling workers to work from home while self-isolating if
appropriate.
See current guidance for employees and employers relating
to statutory sick pay due to COVID-19.
Ensuring both workers and clients who feel unwell stay at
home and do not attend the workplace or location where the
service is being provided.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Providing support for workers around mental health and
wellbeing. This could include advice or telephone support.
See current guidance for advice on who is in the clinically
extremely vulnerable and clinically vulnerable groups.

19. 3.3 Equality in
the workplace
Objective: To make sure that nobody is discriminated against.
• In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the
particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals.
• It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly,
against anyone because of a protected characteristic such as
age, sex, disability, race or ethnicity.
• Employers also have particular responsibilities towards
disabled workers and those who are new or expectant
mothers.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Considering whether you need to put in place any particular
measures or adjustments to take account of your duties
under the equalities legislation.
Understanding and taking into account the particular
circumstances of those with different protected
characteristics.
Involving and communicating appropriately with workers
whose protected characteristics might either expose them to
a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are
thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.
Making reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers
being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and
safety risks for new or expectant mothers.
Making sure that the steps you take do not have an
unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to
others, for example those with caring responsibilities or
those with religious commitments.

20. Objective:
Ensuring workers
maintain social
distancing guidelines
(2m, or 1m with risk
mitigation where 2m is
not viable, is
acceptable) wherever
possible, including
while arriving at and
departing from work
and while in work.
§ You must maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever
possible.
§ When providing close contact services, the nature of the work is
such that maintaining social distancing will not usually be possible
when actively serving a client. In these circumstances, both
employers, employees and the self-employed should do everything
they reasonably can to reduce risk. Mitigating actions include:
§ Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface
cleaning.
§ Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.
§ Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another. If
the practitioner is wearing a visor, screens will not provide
additional protection between the practitioner and the
individual.
§ Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-
to-face) whenever possible.
§ Using a consistent pairing system if workers have to be in close
proximity.
§ Only opening client waiting areas where social distancing can
be maintained.
§ Maintaining social distancing between the treatment or service
areas, such as client chairs.
§ Social distancing applies to all parts of a business or home, not
just the room where the service is delivered, but waiting rooms,
corridors and staircases, where applicable. These are often the
most challenging areas to maintain social distancing and workers
should be specifically reminded. 20
4. Social distancing for workers

21. 4.1 Coming to
work and
leaving work
4.2 Moving
around
salons,
premises and
other people’s
homes
21
Objective: To maintain social distancing wherever possible, on
arrival and departure and to enable handwashing upon arrival.
Objective: To maintain social distancing as far as possible while
people travel through the workplace.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Steps that will usually be needed:
Staggering arrival and departure times at work to reduce
crowding into and out of the workplace, taking account of
the impact on those with protected characteristics.
Providing additional parking or facilities such as bike-racks
to help people walk, run, or cycle to work, recognising this
may not be possible in smaller workplaces.
Reducing congestion, for example, by having more entry
points to the workplace, where possible.
Using markings and introducing one-way flow at entry and
exit points, where possible.
Providing handwashing facilities (or hand sanitiser where not
possible) at entry and exit points.
Discussing with clients before arrival whether parking
facilities are available for those providing treatments in the
home.
Collaborating with other businesses who may share the
premises to minimise the numbers of people on site.
Implementing physical changes like barriers or screens
between, behind or in front of workstations where possible,
such as between clients, for example at wash stations, and
in reception areas.
Introducing more one-way flow in high traffic areas.
Providing floor markings and signage to remind both
workers and clients to maintain social distancing wherever
possible, particularly in client interaction zones.
Making sure that people with disabilities are able to access
lifts in larger workplaces or businesses based in multi-storey
buildings.
Discussing with the client ahead of a visit to other people’s
homes to ask that social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m
with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) is
maintained from other people in the household.
See government guidance on travelling to and from work.

22. 4.3 Workplaces and workstations
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
Objective: To maintain social distancing between individuals when they are at their
workstations.
22
Reviewing layouts and processes to maintain social
distancing (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is
not viable, is acceptable) between clients being
served simultaneously, ensuring there is sufficient
spacing between client chairs, for example, closing
off alternate chairs.
Using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people
comply with social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m
with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is
acceptable).
Avoiding overrunning or overlapping appointments
and contacting clients virtually to let them know when
they are ready to be seen, where possible.
Using screens to create a physical barrier between
workstations, where this is practical. This will not be
required between the practitioner and client when the
practitioner is wearing a visor.
Asking clients to arrive at the scheduled time of their
appointment and only providing a waiting area if
social distancing can be maintained.
• For people who work in one place, workstations should allow them to maintain social distancing wherever
possible.
• Workstations should be assigned to an individual as much as possible. If they need to be shared, they
should be shared by the smallest possible number of people.
• If it is not possible to ensure working areas comply with social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk
mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) then businesses should consider whether that activity
needs to continue for the business to operate, and if so take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the
risk of transmission.

23. 4.3 Workplaces and workstations
(continued)
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
23
Minimising contact around
transactions
Minimising contacts around transactions, for
example, considering using contactless payments
including tips, where possible.
Minimising how frequently equipment is shared
between workers, frequently cleaning between use
and assigning to an individual where possible.
Using disposable items where possible, for example
nail files, and ensuring non-disposable items are
cleaned between clients.
Using a consistent pairing system, defined as
fixing which workers work together, if workers
have to be in close proximity. For example, this
could include a stylist and apprentice.

24. 4.4 Common
Areas
24
Objective: To maintain social distancing while using common areas.
Staggering break times to reduce pressure on the staff break
rooms or places to eat and ensuring social distancing is
maintained in staff break rooms.
Using safe outside areas for breaks.
Creating additional space by using other parts of the
working area or building that have been freed up by remote
working.
Installing screens to protect workers in receptions or similar
areas.
Encouraging workers to bring their own food and drinks. Not
allowing food or drink to be consumed in the salon by clients
other than water in disposable cups or bottles.
Reconfiguring seating and tables, such as in waiting areas,
to optimise spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions.
Encouraging workers to remain on-site for their shift.
Considering use of social distance marking for other
common areas such as toilets, staff rooms, changing rooms
and in any other areas where queues typically form.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Preparing materials and equipment in advance of scheduled
appointments, such as scissors or hairbrushes in
hairdressers, to minimise movement to communal working
areas.
Scheduling appointments to avoid client congestion in
waiting areas, particularly in establishments with smaller
waiting areas.
Only the client should be present in the same room for
appointments in the home.
Revised staff kitchen layout
Providing a secure area where social distancing is
maintained for a client when services or treatments require
development time, for example hair colouring.

25. 4.5 Accidents,
security and
other
incidents
Objective: To prioritise safety during incidents.
• In an emergency, for example, an accident, provision of first aid,
fire or break-in, people do not have to comply with social
distancing guidelines if it would be unsafe.
• People involved in the provision of assistance to others should
pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately
afterwards including washing hands.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Reviewing your incident and emergency procedures to
ensure they reflect the social distancing principles as far as
possible.
Considering the security implications of any changes you
intend to make to your operations and practices in response
to COVID-19, as any revisions may present new or altered
security risks which may need mitigations.
Following government guidance on managing security risks.

26. 5. Cleaning the workplace

27. 27
5.1 Before
reopening
5.2 Keeping
the
workplace
clean
Objective: To make sure that any site or location that has been
closed or partially operated is clean and ready to restart,
including:
§ An assessment for all sites, or parts of sites, that have been
closed, before restarting work.
§ Cleaning procedures and providing hand sanitiser, before
restarting work.
Objective: To keep the workplace clean and prevent transmission
by touching contaminated surfaces.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Steps that will usually be needed:
Checking whether you need to service or adjust ventilation
systems, for example, so that they do not automatically
reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy
levels.
Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment,
however where systems serve multiple buildings, or you are
unsure, advice should be sought from your heating
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.
Spacing appointments to allow for frequent cleaning of work
areas and equipment between uses, using your usual
cleaning products.
Frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched
regularly, including door handles or staff handheld devices,
and making sure there are adequate disposal arrangements
for cleaning products.
Clearing workspaces and removing waste and belongings
from the work area at the end of a shift, including not
providing reading materials such as magazines in client
waiting areas.
If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of
COVID-19 then you should refer to the specific guidance.
Sanitising any reusable equipment, including client chairs,
treatment beds, and equipment, such as scissors used after
each appointment, and at the start and end of shifts.
Using disposable gowns for each client. Where this is not
possible, use separate gowns (and towels in the normal way)
for each client, washing between use and disposing
appropriately as required.
Encouraging staff not to wear their uniforms at home or to
and from the workplace, to change uniforms on a daily basis
and to wash immediately after use.
Maintaining good ventilation in the work environment, for
example keeping windows or doors open.
Cleaning high touch objects
and surfaces such as door
handles

28. 5.3 Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation
facilities and toilets
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
Objective: To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.
28
Using signs and posters to build awareness of
good handwashing technique, the need to
increase handwashing frequency and avoiding
touching your face.
Providing regular reminders and signage to maintain
hygiene standards.
Providing hand sanitiser in multiple locations in
premises in addition to washrooms.
Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets
to ensure they are kept clean and social distancing
is achieved as much as possible.
Enhancing cleaning for busy areas.
Providing more waste facilities and more frequent
rubbish collection.
Providing hand drying facilities – either paper towels
or electrical dryers.
Providing clients access to tissues and informing
them that if they do need to sneeze or cough, they
should do so into the tissue, which should then be
discarded appropriately and that they should wash
their hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser after
using a tissue.
Adopting good handwashing technique and
increasing handwashing in between appointments.
For mobile operators, in the absence of
handwashing facilities, you must use hand sanitiser.
Cleaning the workplace between
each client

29. 5.4 Changing
rooms and
showers
5.5 Handling
goods,
merchandise
and other
materials
29
Objective: To minimise the risk of transmission in changing
rooms and showers.
Objective: To reduce transmission through contact with objects
in the premises.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Steps that will usually be needed:
Where shower and changing facilities are required, setting
clear use and cleaning guidance for showers, lockers and
changing rooms to ensure they are kept clean and clear of
personal items and that social distancing is achieved as
much as possible.
Introducing enhanced cleaning of all facilities regularly during
the day and at the end of the day.
Considering not opening client changing rooms, unless
absolutely necessary.
Enforcing cleaning procedures for goods and merchandise
entering the site.
Regularly cleaning equipment that employees may bring from
or take home. Cleaning should also take place before and
following client use.
Minimising person-to-person contact when accepting
deliveries by creating pick-up and drop-off collection points
for deliveries entering the premises.
Encouraging increased handwashing and introducing more
handwashing facilities for workers and clients or providing
hand sanitiser where this is not practical.
Putting in place picking-up and dropping-off collection points
where possible, rather than passing goods hand-to-hand.
Implementing enhanced handling procedures of laundry to
prevent potential contamination of surrounding surfaces, to
prevent raising dust or dispersing the virus.
Ensuring that equipment entering a person’s home is
thoroughly cleaned before use and between clients, with
usual cleaning products.
Minimising client contact with testers, for example,
employees demonstrating testers from a distance or
facilitating the use of testers.
Where fitting rooms are essential, for example during
photoshoots or fashion shows, they should be cleaned very
frequently, typically between each use.

30. 6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
face coverings

31. 31
PPE protects the user against health or safety risks at work. It can
include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-
visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. It also
includes respiratory protective equipment, such as face masks.
Where you are already using PPE in your work activity to protect
against non-COVID-19 risks, you should continue to do so.
At the start of this document we described the steps you need to
take to manage COVID-19 risk in the workplace. This includes
working from home and maintaining social distancing guidelines
(2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is
acceptable). When managing the risks of COVID-19, additional PPE
beyond what you usually wear will not be beneficial in the majority
of workplaces. This is because COVID-19 is a different type of risk
to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to be
managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or
partnering. The exception is clinical settings, like a hospital, or a
small handful of other roles for which Public Health England advises
use of PPE.
In workplaces such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons and
tattoo and photoshoot studios, it is likely to be difficult to maintain
social distancing, as employees need to work in close proximity to
their clients, usually for an extended period of time. An extended
period of time refers to the majority of the working day, irrespective
of the number of clients served during the day. The person providing
a service (such as hairdressers, because of the period of time spent
in close proximity to a person’s face, mouth and nose) should
therefore wear further protection in addition to any that they might
usually wear. This should take the form of a clear visor that covers
the face and provides a barrier between the wearer and the client
from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or
speaking. Visors must fit the user and be worn properly. It should
cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the
side of the face.
6. Personal
Protective
Equipment
(PPE)

32. Both disposable and re-usable visors are available. A re-usable visor
must be cleaned and sanitised regularly using normal cleaning
products. There is no requirement for the client to wear any
additional protection such as a mask or face covering, when the
practitioner is wearing a visor. There is no benefit to either the client
or the practitioner of wearing additional PPE to that which they
would usually use, beyond the clear visor mentioned above.
The most effective methods of preventing the transmission of
COVID-19 are still social distancing and regular handwashing.
These steps must still be followed as much as possible, even when
practitioners are wearing protective equipment.
In instances where you are contacted via the test and trace service,
having been in contact with someone who has tested positive for
COVID-19, you will still need to self-isolate even if you are wearing a
visor at work. This is because the risk of transmission cannot be
ruled out, even if wearing a visor reduces that risk.
Services which require workers to be within the ‘highest risk zone’
of clients (defined as the area in front of the face where splashes
and droplets from the nose and mouth, that may not be visible, can
be present and pose a hazard from the client to the practitioner and
vice versa), for the entire duration or the majority of the time the
service is being provided (such as eyelash extensions), should not
be resumed unless they can be adapted in line with this guidance to
make them safe (for example, by moving out of the highest risk zone
and wearing a visor).
6. Personal
Protective
Equipment
(PPE) -
(continued)
32

33. There may be some circumstances when wearing a face
covering may be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure.
However, face coverings are not an alternative to wearing a
visor in close contact services. When clients are not having a
treatment or service, both the practitioner and client should maintain
social distancing and so a face covering will not be required. Clients
and employees should follow existing guidance on face coverings
when they are not in close proximity, as explained below. The
evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect
you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not
developed symptoms. However, clients and workers who want to
wear a face covering should be allowed to do so.
A face covering can be very simple and may be worn in enclosed
spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. It just needs to cover
your mouth and nose. It is not the same as a face mask, such as
the surgical masks or respirators used by health and care workers.
Similarly, face coverings are not the same as the PPE used to
manage risks like dust and spray in an industrial context. Supplies
of PPE, including face masks, must continue to be reserved for
those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace,
such as health and care workers, or for protecting against dust
hazards in industrial settings.
It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a
face covering to protect others is weak and the effect is likely to be
small, therefore face coverings are not a replacement for the other
ways of managing risk, including minimising time spent in
contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work,
and increasing hand and surface washing. These other
measures remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace
and government would therefore not expect to see employers
relying on face coverings as risk management for the purpose of
their health and safety assessments.
Wearing a face covering is required by law when travelling as a
passenger on public transport in England. Some people don’t have
to wear a face covering including for health, age or equality reasons.
Elsewhere in England it is optional and is not required by law,
including in the workplace. If you choose to wear one, it is important
to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting
them on and before and after taking them off.
6.1 Face
coverings
33

34. Employers should support their workers in using face coverings
safely if they choose to wear one. This means telling workers:
§ Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds
or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and
before and after removing it.
§ When wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face
covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your
hands.
§ Change your face covering if it becomes damp or
if you’ve touched it.
§ Continue to wash your hands regularly.
§ Change and wash your face covering daily.
§ If the material is washable, wash in line with
manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not washable, dispose of it
carefully in your usual waste.
§ Practise social distancing wherever possible.
You can make face-coverings at home and can find guidance on
how to do this and use them safely on GOV.UK.
6.1 Face
coverings
(continued)
34

35. 7. Workforce management

36. 7.1 Shift patterns and working groups
Steps that will
usually be
needed:
Objective: To change the way work is organised to create distinct groups and
reduce the number of contacts each worker has.
36
Creating a schedule for staff detailing in advance how
treatments will take place and what arrangements
have been made with clients.
As far as possible, where workers are split into teams
or shift groups, or assigned to specific tasks, fixing
these teams or shift groups so that where contact is
unavoidable, this happens between the same people.
Identifying areas where people have to directly pass
things to each other and finding ways to remove direct
contact such as by using drop-off points or transfer
zones.
Using a defined process to help maintain social
distancing during shift handovers.
Limiting role/task rotation including remaining at a
consistent workstation where possible.
Staggering shift start times, minimising worker
congregation such as at entrances and exits.
You should assist the test and trace service by
keeping a temporary record of your staff shift patterns
for 21 days and assist NHS Test and Trace with
requests for that data if needed. This could help
contain clusters or outbreaks.

37. 37
7.2 Work-
related travel
Objective: To avoid unnecessary work travel and keep people
safe when they do need to travel between locations.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Cleaning shared vehicles between shifts or on handover.
Avoiding using public transport, and aiming to walk, cycle, or
drive instead. If using public transport is necessary, wearing
a face covering is mandatory.
Minimising the number of people outside of your household
or support bubble travelling together in any one vehicle,
using fixed travel partners, increasing ventilation when
possible and avoiding sitting face-to-face.
Minimising contact during payments and exchange of
documentation, for example by using electronic payment
methods and electronically signed and exchanged
documents.
Putting in place procedures to minimise person-to-person
contact during deliveries to other sites.

38. 7.3
Communications
and Training
7.3.1 Returning to Work
7.3
Communications
and Training
7.3.2 Ongoing
communications and
signage
38
Objective: To make sure all workers understand COVID-19 related
safety procedures.
Objective: To make sure all workers are kept up to date with how
safety measures are being implemented or updated.
Steps that will usually be needed:
Steps that will usually be needed:
Developing communication and training materials for workers
prior to returning to site, especially around new procedures
for arrival at work.
Providing clear, consistent and regular communication to
improve understanding and consistency of ways of working.
Engaging with workers and worker representatives through
existing communication routes to explain and agree any
changes in working arrangements.
Using simple, clear messaging to explain guidelines using
images and clear language, with consideration of groups for
which English may not be their first language and those with
protected characteristics such as visual impairments.
Ongoing engagement with workers (including through trade
unions or employee representative groups) to monitor and
understand any unforeseen impacts of changes to working
environments.
Awareness and focus on the importance of mental health at
times of uncertainty. The government has published
guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of
coronavirus (COVID-19).
Using visual communications, for example whiteboards or
signage, to explain changes to appointment schedules or
stock shortages without the need for face-to-face
communications.
Communicating approaches and operational procedures to
suppliers, clients or trade bodies to help their adoption and
to share experience, such as with emails or social media.
Communicating with households before arrival to discuss the
steps required to safely provide close contact services in the
home.
Ensuring staff understand how to use and clean their PPE.
Signage to promote social
distancing measures

39. Objective:
To maintain social
distancing and avoid
surface transmission
when goods enter and
leave the premises,
especially in high
volume situations, for
example, despatch
areas.
39
Minimising unnecessary contact for deliveries. For example,
non-contact deliveries where the nature of the product allows
for use of electronic pre-booking.
Considering methods to reduce frequency of deliveries, for
example by ordering larger quantities less often.
Where possible and safe, having single workers load or
unload vehicles or meet delivery people at the front door.
Scheduling deliveries for outside of client appointment times.
Re-stocking/replenishing outside of workplace operating
hours.
8. Inbound and outbound goods
Steps that will usually be needed:

40. Where to obtain further guidance
COVID-19: what you need to do
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Support for businesses and employers during coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
General guidance for employees during coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-and-support-for-employees-during-
coronavirus-covid-19
Appendix
Definitions
Common Areas The term ‘common area’ refers to areas and amenities which are provided for
the common use of more than one person including canteens, reception areas,
meeting rooms, areas of worship, toilets, gardens, fire escapes, kitchens,
fitness facilities, store rooms, laundry facilities.
40
Support Bubbles The term ‘support bubble’ refers to single adult households, where adults live
alone or with dependent children only, expanding their support network so that
it includes one other household of any size. Further guidance on this can be
found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household

41. Appendix
Definitions
41
Clinically extremely
vulnerable
Clinically extremely vulnerable people will have received a letter telling them
they are in this group, or will have been told by their GP. Guidance on who is in
this group can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-
protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-
shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Clinically vulnerable
people
Clinically vulnerable people include those aged 70 or over and those with some
underlying health conditions, all members of this group are listed in the
‘clinically vulnerable’ section here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-
distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing

42. © Crown copyright 2020
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except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit:
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licence/version/3
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www.gov.uk/workingsafely
Images are not covered under the terms of the Open Government
Licence and must not be reproduced or used under copyright
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Contact us if you have any enquiries about this publication,
including requests for alternative formats, at:
enquiries@beis.gov.uk
42